Tata uses nano technology for water purifier
Recently chairman of Tata group, Sri Ratan Tata unveiled a water filter called “Swach” which uses nano technology to purify water. Tata Research, Development and Design Centre (TRDDC) and Tata Chemicals have jointly developed the core technology. Swach is an advanced version of Sujal, launched around 2001-02 as a part of Corporate Social Responsibility for Tsunami affected areas.
Technology used
Swach uses Rice Husk Ash (RHA) impregnated with nano (1 x 10-9) silver particles for safe and clean water. Sujal also used RHA in combination with pebbles and cement. RHA, produced from heating rice husk, contains activated silica and carbon. Activated silica can reduce the turbidity of the water entering the filter and give a longer run for the system. On the other hand, activated carbon has the property to bind with non-polar materials while polar materials remain in aqueous solution. Most pesticides are organic and strongly non polar and thus display an affinity for adsorption on the carbon surface. The activated carbon has a limitation in removing microbial contaminants. World Health Organization thus recommends coupling of charcoal treatment with chemical (iodine, chlorine etc) or UV disinfection to remove microbial pathogens. Activated carbon also cannot remove lithium, alcohols, ammonia, strong acids and bases, inorganic substances like sodium, lead, iron, arsenic and nitrates.
Non-profit organizations like Community Aid & Sponsorship Programme (CASP), Pune and Indian Institute of Youth Welfare, Nagpur who have helped TRDCC in distributing Sujal in rural areas, view that technologically there was no problem with the filter. CASP conducted laboratory tests to find out that the filtered water show a reduction of 96 % diarrhea and other gastrointestinal infection causing bacteria. Complaints are against the durability of the model and small size of the storage tank. Chief Scientific Officer of Tata Chemicals, Dr. Muraly Sastry, explained that Sujal was successful in removing colour, odour and suspended particles from water but many pathogens found its way into the filtered water. They worked towards making the technology full proof. This time they have coupled RHA with nano silver.
Silver inhibits bacteria multiplication by reacting with sulydryl (-SH) groups in the bacterial cells, producing structural changes in bacterial cell membranes and interacting with nucleic acids. The nano sized particles help in increasing the surface area so that the bacteria get enough reaction time. Josh Kearns and Detlef Knappe of Aqueous Solution, research organization based in Huntington, USA, views that rice husks are just piled onto a fire and allowed to smolder. So the pyrolysis temperature is relatively low and oxygen is not well excluded - thus rice husk charcoal does not develop significant porosity and molecular surface area necessary for effective water filtration. According to a US Patent of 2000, the amount of activated carbon produced in rice hull ash depends on the amount of combustion. “We are not sure about the combustion temperature and process used by the rice mills owners supplying the RHA,” replied Sastry when asked about the production of RHA. The exact size and specification of the cartridge of Swach is still under wrap.
“Porous ceramic filters made from baked clay that includes rice husk, with colloidal silver, have been promoted by many organizations for many years -- the best known among them is Potters for Peace,” views Ashok Gadgil, Senior Scientist and Acting Director, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, USA, “Potters for Peace which appears to be very close to Swach is effective against waterborne bacterial pathogens, but not effective against viruses (poliovirus, rotavirus, norovirus, viral agents giving Hepatitis A and Hepatitis. E, and any number of viruses that can cause gastroenteritis).” Professor P S Datta, Project Director, Nuclear Research Laboratory, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi feels that the filter will not be effective in areas where groundwater is highly contaminated with nitrate. He feels that no filter brand in India has come up till date with design to tackle nitrate contamination. Tata Chemicals claim that Swach can tackle six bacterial diseases caused due to poor quality of water.
In India there is no standard for water filter and hence there is no way to test whether the filters are effective under Indian conditions. “Swach compiles with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard. We have filed 14 patents for the technology and the product ” explained Sastry. USEPA has standard for domestic water treatment device, which contains an antimicrobial (germ-killing) or bacteriostatic (slowing or inhibiting growth of germs) agent and not for lead, iron, arsenic and nitrates.
Design of the filter
The 560 mm tall Swach filter contains two parts. The upper part contains reservoir where the untreated water enters, the lower middle portion has a bulb to which the cartridge can be attached. Another reservoir is placed at the lower end, which collects clear water. The whole system acts on gravity and electricity or constant flow of water is not required. The stackability of two chambers reduces the height of the filter. The upper chamber can be easily cleaned. Depending on the quality of water about 3000 litres can be filtered after which the cartridge can be replaced. The flow rate of the filter is 3-4 litres per hour. “There is a fuse in the system which indicates time for cartridge change,” said Sastry. The cost of the cartridge would be somewhere around Rs. 299. The filter is in the launching stage right now. The Tata Chemicals plan to produce initially 1 million units a year from Haldia plant in West Bengal and then increase the production up to 3 million units within five years.
Box: Comparable filters
This year B. Nagarajan and Dr. G.B.Jaiprakash Narain of MNM Jain Engineering College came up with a similar filter design using combination of Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) and nano silver colloid. The mixture is in the form of cartridge secured to the bottom of the top chamber. Nagarajan and Narain have also applied for a patent. Nagarajan is in Dubai for the marketing of this product. A popular brand by Kent also uses nano silver technology but has additionally attached Ulta Violet (UV) unit as UV is considered to be the most effective in removing microbial pathogens. Causes of almost 650 types of diseases that result from water borne pathogens could be eliminated by the simple implementation of nano silver disinfection methodology, views Narain.
Talking of the cost, Narain feels that their study has shown that nano silver disinfection process are available at a very economical price around Rs. 800. Tata’s Swach has also been priced between Rs. 749 to 999. Sujal was priced at Rs. 150 by TRDDC as it was using cheap RHA and the cost of the replaceable filter bed was only Rs. 25. The cartridge of the newly launched filter costs somewhere around Rs. 299. The increased cost is clearly due to the use of nano silver. Similarly the UV unit of Kent has increased its cost roughly to Rs. 8000 to 9000. Battery operated Pureit of Hindustan lever, which is closest to Swach in price range, uses carbon and chlorine mainly for purification.
Comparison with the available filters in the market
Activated carbon filter / Kent system
Rs. 2,400 / Silver coated carbon filter + UF membrane.
Capacity – 20litres / Removes bacteria and cysts and odour.
Pureit Hindustan Unilever
Rs. 2,000 / Carbon trap + microfibre mesh
Capacity – 18litres / Removes virus and bacteria and other impurities
Combination with activated carbon / Eureka Forbes
Rs. 6,750 / 3 stages- Candle-filter purification, Silver-impregnated activated carbon purification and Ultra-violet purification. / Remove suspended impurities and odour.
Improves taste
Godrej –GP 200
Rs. 6,850 / 3-stages- Pre-filter, activated carbon, UV
Alfaa-ewater smart
Rs 6,750
Rs 7,300 (with auto stop and switch) / 3 stages- Pre-filter Candle-filter, Silver-impregnated activated carbon and UV
Combination with Ceramic filters / Zero B -Resiline
Rs. 5,990 / Pre filter, Silver-Impregnated Activated Carbon Purification, resin carbon cartridge / Removes bacteria and viruses
Usha Brita
Rs. 8,999 / 4 stages- Pre-filter, Candle-filter, Silver-impregnated activated carbon and UV
Ion exchange water filters / Zero B (on tap)
Rs. 300 / Iodized resin gadget
Capacity: 7500 litres / Softens water
Reverse osmosis / Kent systems:
Rs. 15,950 / Double purification by RO & UV with TDS Controller.
Storage tank capacity – 8 litres / Removes dissolved impurities like rust, heavy metals, salts & chemical
Eureka Forbes
Rs. 9,990 / RO technology / Removes disease-causing bacteria, virus and reduces all ionic particles and TDS
Rs. 14,000 / Pre RO, RO, Post RO
Combination with RO / Usha Brita
Rs. 10,999 / 5-stages - Pre-filter, GAC, Pre RO, RO, Post RO / Reduces TDS, bacteria and viruses.
Also reduces arsenic, fluoride, lead and other harmful chemicals.
Zero B pristine
Rs. 14,600 / Pre filter + Silver-Impregnated Activated Carbon + RO + Resin carbon
Kent-Pride
Rs. 14,990 / 5 stages- Sediment purification, Carbon purification, micronic filter, UF and RO
Combination with RO / Kent
Rs. 15,990 / 5 stages- Sediments purification, carbon purification, micronic filter, UV and RO. / Removes bacteris, viruses.
Hi-tech-Rio
Rs 18,000/- / 7 stages- Sediment Filter, Silver-Impregnated Activated Carbon , Pre Carbon-Post Filter, RO, fine filter, Intensified Filter and Ceramic Filter / Removes dissolved salts, heavy metals, chemicals, micro-organisms and other impurities
Improves taste
Removes water vorne viruses
Hi-tech-Brenna
Rs 12,000/- / 6 stages- Sediment Filter, Silver-Impregnated Activated Carbon, Pre Carbon-Post Filter, RO, Intensified Filter and Ceramic Filter
Hi-tech-RO 8
Rs 11,000/- / 4 stages - Prefiltration, Silver-Impregnated Activated Carbon, RO and Post Carbon Filter
Rs. 12,000 / 5-stages - Prefiltration, Silver-Impregnated Activated Carbon, Carbon block, RO and Post Carbon Filter
Rs. 14,000 and Rs. 16,000
Rs. 20,000 (flow rate is high)
Whirlpool-Purafresh Deluxe
Rs 14,450/- / 6 stages - Pre Filter, Plus Sediment Filter, Pre Carbon Filter, R.O and Post Carbon Filter.
Rs. 15,750
Alfaa-dewdrop
Rs 14,990/- / 4 stages- Pre Filter Sediments purification, Carbon Filter, RO and post RO
Modi Hoover-aqua pure - Pearl
Rs 13,995/- / 5 stages- Pre-Filter, Pre-RO carbon Cartridge, Pre RO Activated Carbon Block and RO
Rs. 14,995 (automatic water level controller)
Ultraviolet disinfection system / Kent systems
Rs. 7,950
Rs. 8,850 (with alarm system) / Nano silver coated granular activated carbon filter. / Removes dirt, dust & sand particles.
Provides reduction of taste, odour, colour and enhancement.
Combination with UV / Philips
Rs. 6,995 / Pre-Filter Purification + activated carbon + UV
Has replaceable filter / Destroys waterborne viruses and removes odour.
Rs. 8,995 (automatic flush)
Rs. 9,995 (with rechargeable battery)
Rs. 10,495 (with rechargeable battery and LCD display)
Usha Brita
Rs. 8,599 / UV lamp + silver impregnated carbon
Zero B pristine
Rs.14,200 / 5-stages- pre filter, sediment filter, activated carbon, UV, Polisher
Modi Hoover-Aqua Pure UV
Rs 6,450 / 3 stages- Pre-filter, Silver-impregnated activated carbon and UV
Eureka forbes
Rs. 6,750 / 3 Stages- Candle-filter, Silver-impregnated activated carbon and UV
Rs. 8,690 ( with voltage stabaliser, monitoring system and auto shut off)
Rs. 7,650 (auto shut off and LCD)
Eureka Forbes
Rs. 9,590 / 3 stages- Candle-filter, Silver-impregnated activated carbon and UV
Purifier with power boil / Removes odour, organic impurities and traces of chlorine. Deactivates all bacteria and virus.
Reduces arsenic compounds.
Combination purifiers / Zero B Pristine
Rs. 24,000 / 7 stages – Pre filter, Sediment Filter, Pre carbon Filter, Activated Carbon Purification, RO and Post RO / Removes dissolved salts, heavy metals, chemicals, micro-organisms and other impurities
Kent elite
Rs. 27,000
Rs. 48,000 (with optional water tank) / 4 stages-Sediments purification, Pre-Carbon filter, UV and RO
Kent
Rs. 15,990 / 5 stages - Sediment purification, Carbon purification, micronic filter, UV and RO
Eureka Forbes-Aquaguard total sensa
Rs 17,900 / 4 stages- Sediments purification, UV, RO and Argentum Nano Fresh, which improves taste. / Remove dissolved salts, microorganisms, chemicals and impurities.
Eureka Forbes-aquaguard integra7
Rs 24,900 / Multi stage water purification technology-RO, UF, Aqua-energiser, Magnetising chamber, Iron remover and Arsenic remover.
Eureka Forbes-aquaguard total RO
Rs 14,500/- / 6 stages- Particle Filter, Clarity Cartridge, Pre-Taste Enhancer Cartridge, RO, Post-Taste Enhancer Cartridge and Nano Silver Medium
Whirlpool-Purafresh Platinum
Rs 22,950/- / 5 stages- Pre Filter, Neo Sense Filter (combining the Sediment and Pre Carbon Filters), Pre Carbon Filter, R.O. and Post Carbon Filter